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THE 2018 PHILIPPINE
INVESTMENT GUIDE
Ocampo & Suralvo Law Offices
6th Floor, Liberty Center Bldg. 104 HV Dela Costa St.,
Salcedo Village, Makati City, Metro Manila 1227 Philippines
Telephone: +632 625 0765
E-mail: info@ocamposuralvo.com
Website: www.ocamposuralvo.com
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means—electronic,mechanical, photocopying,
recording, or otherwise—without the prior permission in writing from Ocampo & Suralvo Law Offices. This publication, and any form of copy of this publication,
may not be sold, re-sold,hired out, or otherwise disposed of by way of trade,by any person or entity, without prior written permission from the copyright holder.
The material in this publication is provided as a general guide for information purposes only and should not be regarded as a substitute for appropriate legal and
professional advice for specific cases.
CONTENTS
6 THE ECONOMY: ON A GROWTH TRAJECTORY
10 FOREIGN INVESTMENTS
32 TAXATION
42 INCENTIVES
46 EMPLOYMENT
58 IMMIGRATION
64 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
66 ENVIRONMENT
88 DATA PRIVACY
I. PHILIPPINE ECONOMY
ON A GROWTH TRAJECTORY
________________________________
1
Philippine Statistics Authority data.
2
The World Bank, Philippines Economic Update: Investing in the Future (April 2018).
________________________________
10
Department of Budget and Management data.
11
Department of Finance website.
12
Construction Industry Authority of the Philippines website.
13
The World Bank, Philippines Economic Update (October 2017).
14
Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Summary of Metallic Minerals Resource/Reserve Inventory of
the Philippines: 2016.
15
Chamber of Mines of the Philippines website.
16
The World Bank, Philippines Economic Update: Investing in the Future (April 2018).
17
IBPAP, Philippine IT-BPM Roadmap 2022.
Tourism
________________________________
18
Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data.
19
The World Bank, Philippines Economic Update: Investing in the Future (April 2018).
20
Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data.
21
Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data.
22
Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data.
The ARMM List covers priority activities that have been identified by the Regional Board of Investments
of the ARMM.
A. Export activities
B. Agriculture, agribusiness, aquaculture, and fishery
C. Basic industries
D. Infrastructure and services
E. Industrial service facilities
F. Engineering industries
G. Logistics
H. Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area
(BIMP-EAGA) trade and investment enterprises
I. Tourism
J. Health and Education Services and Facilities.
K. Halal Industry
L. Banking, Non-Bank Financial Institutions and Facilities
M. Energy
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23
A domestic market enterprise is one which produces goods for sale, renders service, or otherwise engages in any
business in the Philippines. The US$200,000 requirement is reduced to US$100,000 for domestic market enterprises
whose activities involve advanced technology or which employ at least 50 direct employees. An export enterprise is
one wherein a manufacturer, processor, or service (including tourism) enterprise exports 60% or more of its output,
or wherein a trader purchases product domestically and exports 60% or more of such purchases.
[FIA Implementing Rules and Regulations].
In the course of the SEC application for a An RHQ is licensed by the SEC upon the
license to do business in the Philippines, favorable recommendation of the Board of
the foreign company must show that it has Investments (BOI).
inwardly remitted at least US$30,000.00 to
cover the representative office expenses.
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24
A multinational that has, or will, simultaneously, set up an RHQ or ROHQ in the Philippines may also establish a
regional warehouse or warehouses in an Ecozone after securing a license therefor from the PEZA or from concerned
Ecozone authorities. The activities of a regional warehouse shall be limited to serving as a supply depot for the
storage, deposit, and safekeeping of its spare parts, components, semi-finished products, and raw materials,
including packing, covering, putting up, marking, labeling, and cutting or altering to customer’s specification,
mounting, and/or packaging into kits or marketable lots thereof; and filling up transactions and sales made by its
head offices or parent companies; and serving as a storage or warehouse of goods purchased locally by the home
office of the multinational for export abroad. The regional warehouse may not directly engage in trade nor directly
solicit business, promote any sale, nor enter into any contract for the sale or disposition of goods in the Philippines.
• LRF of 1% of the basic filing fee. • LRF of 1% of the basic filing fee.
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25
Other Exempt Transactions are judicial sales, foreclosure of a pledge or mortgage, isolated transactions, distribution
or payment of stock dividends, sale of unissued shares exclusively to existing shareholders, sale of bonds or notes
to a single purchaser, conversion of previously registered convertible securities, subsequent trading in an exchange
of previously registered securities, pre-incorporation subscriptions or subscriptions to increase in the corporation’s
authorized capital stock, exchange of securities by the issuer with its existing security holders exclusively.
A. Business Organizations
1. Corporations
A corporation with capital stock divided into shares provides the protection
of limited liability for shareholders, allows free transferability of investment
units (shares of stock), and centralizes the exercise of management powers,
among others.
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26
This restriction only applies to the number of incorporators and not to the number of stockholders.
Some enterprises by the nature of their Under the National Internal Revenue Code
operations, are required to secure special (NIRC), all corporations, partnerships, or
clearances, licenses, or permits from other persons required by law to pay internal
government agencies such as the revenue taxes, and whose gross annual
Department of Health (DOH)-Food and sales, earnings, receipts or output exceed
Drugs Administration for food, cosmetics, PHP3,000,000.00 must have their books of
chemicals and health-related businesses; account audited and examined yearly by
the Department of Agriculture for certain independent CPAs.
businesses dealing with fisheries and
aquatics; the Department of Labor and 2. Local Business Permits
Employment (DOLE)-Philippine Overseas and Licenses
Employment Administration for
recruitment agencies for overseas Permits and licenses must also be obtained
placement; the Energy Regulatory from the Local Government Units (LGU)
Commission (ERC) for power and energy; where the business is located. LGUs levy
Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and collect taxes and other fees from
for qualified entities who desire to trans- businesses operating within their
act its business within any of the country’s jurisdiction.
special economic zones (Ecozones).
As employers, business enterprises must General Information Sheet (GIS). The SEC
likewise comply with employee-welfare requires all registered enterprises (including
and related laws by undergoing registration foreign corporations, e.g., branch offices,
with the appropriate government agencies representative offices, RHQs, or ROHQs) to
and allowing regular remittance of annually submit a GIS.
contributions to the Social Security System
(SSS), the Philippine Health Insurance The period for filing the GIS is 30 days
Corporation (PhilHealth), and the Home counted from (1) the date of the annual
Development and Mutual Fund (HDMF). stockholder’s meeting (in case of a
domestic corporation); or (2) the
4. Importer Accreditation anniversary date of the issuance of the
certificate of registration/license (in case of
Entities desiring to engage in, or whose a ROHQ, RHQs, or branch and
operations involves the importation of representative office).
goods into the Philippines, must secure
an accreditation as an Importer from the Financial Statements (FS). The SEC requires
Bureau of Customs (BOC). the annual submission of FS, stamped
“received” by the BIR. The filing period is
within 120 days of the last day of the fiscal
year of the corporation.
In general, corporate income tax is imposed • ROHQs are liable to 10% tax on their
as follows: net taxable income;
In general, any profit remitted by a branch A 10% tax is imposed on the improperly
to its head office is subject to a 15% BPRT. accumulated earnings of domestic
For this purpose, the law specifically corporations, except in the case of publicly-
excludes those activities which are held corporations, banks, and other non-
registered with the PEZA. bank financial intermediaries and insurance
companies. The fact that a corporation
The BPRT is based on the total profits allows its earnings or profits to accumulate
applied or earmarked for remittance beyond its reasonable needs, is considered
without any deduction for the tax definitive of its purpose to avoid tax on
component. The 15% BPRT may be stockholders, unless it proves the contrary.
reduced further under applicable However, note that a branch is not
tax treaties. considered covered by the rule against
improperly accumulated earnings.
Minimum Corporate Income Tax
(MCIT) 2. Individuals
The Philippines imposes a VAT on the sale, products in their original state, sale of
barter, exchange, or lease of goods and fertilizer, sale of livestock and, under
properties, importation of goods and sale TRAIN, beginning 1 January 2019, the sale
or performance of services in the course of of drugs and medicines prescribed for
trade or business within the Philippines. 27 diabetes, high cholesterol
The standard VAT rate is 12%. and hypertension).
There are transactions (mainly export The registration threshold for VAT purposes
sales) subject to the VAT zero rate. There was increased by TRAIN to
are also transactions exempt from VAT PHP3,000,000.00 in gross sales or receipts
(e.g., sale of agricultural and marine food over a 12-month period.
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27
The terms “goods” or “properties” means all property, real or personal (tangible or intangible). The “sale or
exchange of services” means the performance of all kinds of services in the Philippines for others for a fee
or consideration.
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28
A closely held corporation is any corporation of which at least 50% in value of the outstanding capital stock or
at least 50% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote is owned directly or
indirectly by or for not more than 20 individuals.
29
if based on weight or volume capacity or other physical unit of measurement of goods, the excise tax is called a
specific tax. Excise taxes based on the selling price or other value of the goods are referred to as ad valorem
taxes.
The Omnibus Investments Code provides • Exemption from taxes and duties on
incentives to enterprises engaged in the importation of breeding stocks and
activities falling under the government’s genetic materials;
priority or preferred areas of investment
as well as those which export a certain • Tax credit for taxes and duties on raw
minimum percentage of their production. materials/supplies used in the
Preferred areas of investment are listed manufacture, processing, or production
under the IPP, the overall plan prepared of export products;
by BOI and submitted to the President for
approval yearly. • Exemption from wharfage duties and
any export tax, duty, impost, and fee;
Investors that engage in priority areas of and
investment under the IPP (Please refer to
IPP Table 1 in II.A above) may avail of the • Exemption from local business taxes
incentives under the Omnibus Investments for 6 years from the start of commercial
Code upon registration with the BOI. operations for pioneer firms and 4
years in the case of non-pioneer firms.
To qualify for registration with the BOI and
obtain incentives, investors must meet Non-Fiscal Incentives
certain qualifications under the law.
• Simplification of customs procedure;
Subject to certain conditions, BOI-
registered enterprises may enjoy the • Unrestricted use of consigned
following tax and non-tax special equipment;
incentives:
• Employment of foreign nationals in
Fiscal Incentives supervisory, technical, or advisory
positions for a 5-year period; and
• Income Tax Holiday (ITH): generally, 6
years from the start of commercial • Access to bonded warehouse/
operations for pioneer firms and 4 trading system.
years in the case of non-pioneer firms;
• ITH of 6 years from start of commercial • Exemption from local business taxes
operations for new registered pioneer for 6 years from the start of commercial
firms and 4 years for non-pioneer firms; operations for pioneer firms and 4
years in the case of non-pioneer firms;
• Upon expiration of the ITH, a special
tax rate of 5% on gross income in lieu of • Simplification of customs procedure;
all national and local taxes;
• Unrestricted use of consigned
• Tax and duty-free importation of capital equipment; and
equipment, raw materials, spare parts,
supplies, breeding stocks, and • Employment of foreign nationals.
genetic materials;
Presidential Decree (PD) No. 442 as amended, or the Philippine Labor Code is the
primary legislation governing labor standards and employment in the Philippines.
This law underscores the basic State policy to afford protection to labor, promote
full employment, ensure equal work opportunities, regulate the relations
between workers and employers, and assure the rights of workers to self-
organization, collective bargaining, security of tenure, and just and humane
conditions of work.
A. Labor Standards
1. Working Hours
b. Wage adjustment vis-à-vis the h. Fair return of the capital invested and
consumer price index; capacity to pay of employers;
Special leave under RA No. 9710 or the 3. Health and Safety Rules for
Magna Carta of Women. A woman Certain Workers
employee having rendered continuous
aggregate employment service of at least 6 Employment of Night Workers
months for the last 12 months shall be under RA No. 10151
entitled to a special leave benefit of 2
months with full pay based on her gross A night worker is any employed person
monthly compensation following surgery whose work covers the period from 10 p.m.
caused by gynecological disorders. to 6 a.m. the following morning, provided
the worker works for not less than 7
Leave under RA No. 9262 or the Anti- consecutive hours.
Violence Against Women and their Children
Act. In addition to other paid leaves,
• Implement rest periods or cut the time Security of tenure. The right to security of
spent on standing or walking; tenure is Constitutionally enshrined.
Therefore, in cases of regular employment,
• Install appropriate flooring or mats that an employer may not terminate the
will mitigate the impact of frequent services of an employee except for a just
walking and prevent fatigue; cause or when authorized by the law and
after observance of procedural due
• Provide tables or work surfaces with process.
adjustable heights to allow workers to
alternately sit and stand while
performing their tasks;
Right to self-organization and collective Other welfare legislations include the Social
bargaining. Under Philippine law, Security Law, Employees’ Compensation
employees have the right to self- and State Insurance Fund, HDMF, and
organization and to form, join, or assist National Health Insurance Act.
labor organizations of their own choosing
for purposes of collective bargaining.
Non-immigrants or temporary
visitors fall into either of
two categories:
unrestricted nationals or
restricted nationals.
Unrestricted nationals are from countries with visa-free privileges, which include
the following:
_________________________________________________________________________
1. Andorra 45. Estonia 89. Marshall Islands
2. Angola 46. Ethiopia 90. Mauritania
3. Antigua and Barbuda 47. Fiji 91. Mauritius
4. Argentina 48. Finland 92. Mexico
5. Australia 49. France 93. Micronesia
6. Austria 50. Gabon 94. Monaco
7. Bahamas 51. Gambia 95. Mongolia
8. Bahrain 52. Germany 96. Morocco
9. Barbados 53. Ghana 97. Mozambique
10. Belgium 54. Greece 98. Myanmar
11. Belize 55. Grenada 99. Namibia
12. Benin 56. Guatemala 100. Nepal
13. Bhutan 57. Guinea 101. Netherlands
14. Bolivia 58. Guinea·Bissau 102. New Zealand
15. Botswana 59. Guyana 103. Nicaragua
16. Brazil* 60. Haiti 104. Niger
17. Brunei 61. Honduras 105. Norway
18. Bulgaria 62. Hungary 106. Oman
19. Burkina Faso 63. Iceland 107. Palau
20. Burundi 64. Indonesia 108. Panama
21. Cambodia 65. Ireland 109. Papua New Guinea
22. Cameroon 66. Israel* 110. Paraguay
23. Canada 67. Italy 111. Peru
24. Cape Verde 68. Jamaica 112. Poland
25. Central African Republic 69. Japan 113. Portugal
26. Chad 70. Kazakhstan 114. Qatar
27. Chile 71. Kenya 115. Romania
28. Colombia 72. Kiribati 116. Russia
29. Comoros 73. Korea (ROK) 117. Rwanda
30. Congo 74. Kuwait 118. St. Kitts and Nevis
31. Congo, Democratic Republic 75. Kyrgyzstan 119. Saint Lucia
32. Costa Rica 76. Laos 120. St. Vincent and the
33. Cote d’ Ivoire 77. Latvia Grenadines
34. Croatia 78. Lesotho 121. Samoa
35. Cyprus 79. Liberia 122. San Marino
36. Czech Republic 80. Liechtenstein 123. Sao Tome and Principe
37. Denmark 81. Lithuania 124. Saudi Arabia
38. Djibouti 82. Luxembourg 125. Senegal
39. Dominica 83. Madagascar 126. Seychelles
40. Dominican Republic 84. Malawi 127. Singapore
41. Ecuador 85. Malaysia 128. Slovak Republic
42. El Salvador 86. Maldives 129. Slovenia
43. Equatorial Guinea 87. Mali 130. Solomon Islands
44. Eritrea 88. Malta 131. South Africa
_________________________________________________________________________
Unrestricted nationals may enter the purposes in this case refers to commercial,
Philippines under a visa waiver of 30 days, industrial, or professional purposes such as
extendible for another 29 days. In general, attending international conferences or
an unrestricted foreign national must, upon attending business meetings in the
entry, present a passport with validity of Philippines. In general, temporary visitors
not less than 6 months beyond the period may convert their immigration status in-
of stay as well as a valid return ticket. country, from temporary visitor or tourist to
However, the following passport holders another visa category.
are allowed to enter the Philippines
without a visa for a stay not exceeding 14
or 7 days: B. Work Permits
a. 14 days
• Hong Kong Special Administrative Alien Employment Permit (AEP). An
(SAR) passports; and employer wishing to hire a non-resident
• Macau SAR passports. foreign national is required to secure an
AEP from the DOLE. The DOLE issues the
b. 7 days AEP after it determines that there is no
• Macau-Portuguese passport; and person in the Philippines able, willing, and
• Hong Kong British passports. competent at the time of application to
perform the services for which the alien is
Restricted nationals are nationals of desired. The AEP is usually valid for a
countries required to obtain a temporary minimum period of 1 year from its
visitor’s visa (under Section 9(a) of the issuance, unless the employment contract,
Philippine Immigration Act) from a or other modes of engagement provides
Philippine Consulate in their home country otherwise, which in no case shall exceed 3
or place of legal residence prior to entering years. The AEP is not an exclusive authority
the Philippines. They are typically granted for a foreign national to work in the
visas for an initial stay of 59 days. Philippines. It is just one of the
requirements for the issuance of 9g visa to
The 9(a) visa is granted for business, legally engage in gainful employment in
pleasure, or health purposes. Business the country.
An AEP from the DOLE (as discussed above) Special Non-immigrant Visa under Sec.
is required to process this visa and, hence 47(a)(2) of the Philippine Immigration Act.
this must be procured prior to the visa For public interest or policy considerations,
process. The AEP application must show a special non-immigrant visa may be issued
that no person can be found in the upon approval of the Secretary of Justice
Philippines competent and willing to on public interest or public policy
perform the job for which the foreign considerations. Foreign nationals employed
national is to be hired and that his by enterprises registered with the PEZA
IP laws that were promulgated or administered in the country during Spanish colonial
times and the American occupation influenced the IP legal framework that emerged
after the Philippines gained political independence in 1946.
In 1947, the Philippines passed two laws protecting patents and trademarks. Over the
years, additional laws were passed and regulations promulgated. The state policy to
protect and secure IP was later on enshrined in the 1973 and the 1987 Constitutions.
The Electric Power Industry Reform Act Regulation of the electric power industry
(EPIRA) in 2001 brought about major resides in the ERC while matters of policy
changes to the Philippine power industry. are handled by the DOE. One of the
The EPIRA provided the framework for the mandates of the ERC is to promote true
restructuring of the electric power industry, market competition and prevent harmful
including the privatization of assets owned monopoly and market power abuse. The
by the National Power Corporation electric power industry is divided into 4
(NAPOCOR), a government-owned and sectors: generation, transmission,
controlled corporation. distribution, and supply.
________________________________
30
An Act Authorizing the Financing, Construction, Operation and Maintenance of Infrastructure Projects by the
Private Sector, and for other purposes.
Turns over project after completion to the Pays private project proponent
implementing agency. on an agreed schedule its total
investment on the project plus a
reasonable rate of return.
Build-lease-transfer Financing and construction of project. Pays private project proponent
by way of rental fees.
Turns over project at the end of the fixed term Acquires ownership of the
to the implementing agency. project at the end of the
fixed term.
Collects tolls, fees, rentals and charges from
facility users to recover its investment.
Build-own-operate Financing and construction of project and the
operation and maintenance thereof in
perpetuity.
________________________________
31
Sec. 5.10, NEDA JV Guidelines.
32
Sec. 22, The Local Government Code.
OCAMPO & SURALVO LAW OFFICES 77
Thus, while LGUs are not covered by the Production Sharing Agreement (MPSA),
NEDA JV Guidelines, they may enter into co-production agreement (CA), or a JVA.
JVA with private entities, provided the These agreements are given a term not
same is approved by the local legislative exceeding 25 years from their respective
council. The LGUs provide for the specific dates of execution, and renewable for
rules on implementing a JV project through another term not exceeding 25 years under
the enactment of its local PPP Code. Local the same terms and conditions unless such
PPP Codes provide for the requirements for changes have been mutually agreed upon
approval and the procurement process for by the parties. Mineral exploration can be
JVA with the private sector. undertaken by a qualified person either
under the terms of an exploration permit
only or as part of the exploration period
C. Mining under the terms of a mineral agreement.
The exploration permit is valid for two
years (renewable under certain conditions)
Mineral resources are owned by the State. within which, its holder must determine
Consequently, the exploration, the commercial viability of the project.
development, utilization, and processing of
mineral resources are under State control The State is entitled to a government share
and supervision. These activities may be which varies depending on the mineral
undertaken by the State on its own, or it agreement utilized between the State and
can enter into (1) mineral agreements with the contractor:
qualified persons or (2) a financial or
technical assistance agreement (FTAA). i. In an MPSA, government share
consists of the 4% excise tax on mineral
1. Mineral Agreements products.
For purposes of entering into a mineral ii. In CAs and JVAs, the government share
agreement with the government, is negotiated between the parties and
a qualified person can be: shall consider some factors such as
capital expenditure, risks, and
i. any citizen of the Philippines with the contribution of the project to the
capacity to contract; or economy.
The PCA prohibits anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominant position and merger
or acquisition agreements that substantially prevent, restrict, or lessen competition in
the relevant market. The law also created the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC),
an independent quasi-judicial body tasked with enforcement and implementation of the
PCA and its implementing rules and regulations.
• Directly or indirectly imposing unfairly Before the expiration of the 30-day (Phase
low purchase prices for the goods or 1) review period, the PCC may request for
services of marginalized producers reasonably necessary and directly relevant
and providers; information from the parties, which
request has the effect of extending the
• Directly or indirectly imposing unfair period (during which the agreement may
purchase or selling prices on not be consummated) for an additional 60
competitors, customers, suppliers, or days (Phase 2). The total period for review
consumers; and shall not exceed 90 days from notification.
• Issuing advisory opinions and guidelines • Second offense: a fine of not less than
on competition matters for effective PHP100 Million pesos but not more
enforcement of the PCA; and than PHP250 Million.
The DPA provides for the general data The DPA IRR gave personal information
privacy principles of transparency, controllers and personal information
legitimate purpose and proportionality and processors 1 year from the DPA IRR
lists the rights of data subjects to (i) be effectivity to register their data processing
informed of personal information systems and automated processing
processing (ii) reasonable access (iii) operations with the NPC. The rules require
correction (iv) suspend, withdraw or order a personal information controller or
the blocking, removal or destruction of his personal information processor to register
personal information (v) be indemnified for its data processing systems with the NPC if
damages due to inaccurate, incomplete, it has at least 250 employees, or if, having
outdated, false, unlawfully obtained or less than 250 employees, the processing it
unauthorized use of personal information; carries out (1) is likely to pose a risk to the
and (v) data portability. The DPA requires rights and freedoms of data subjects,
personal information controllers to (2) the processing is not occasional, or
implement reasonable and appropriate (3) the processing includes the sensitive
organizational, physical and technical personal information of at least 1,000
measures intended for the protection of individuals. The initial registration process
personal information against accidental or with the NPC was implemented in two
unlawful destruction, alteration and phases: Phase I involved the appointment
disclosure, as well as against any other of data protection officers and Phase II
unlawful processing. covered the registration of data processing
systems. The deadline for Phase I
The DPA sets forth the specific penalties for registration was 9 September 2017 and
violations of its provisions which include Phase II registration was 8 March 2018.
fines from PHP100,000.00 up to PHP5
OS Law assists its clients with their corporate, commercial and tax needs across a
spectrum of business concerns including general corporate and commercial matters,
company establishment and registration, contract negotiation and drafting, mergers
and acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate restructuring and foreign
direct investments.
Law is also driven to provide Philippine businesses with solutions that will enable
OS
them to thrive in the global economy. Through its collaboration with DFDL, an
international law firm focused on Asia’s emerging economies, it provides its clients
with access to the tax and legal expertise of 12 offices in eight countries.
The firm proudly serves as the gateway for Philippine businesses seeking legal and
tax advice to support their regional expansion in ASEAN.
PARTN ER S OF OS LAW
JUDE OCAMPO
Jude is a Philippine attorney specializing in mergers and acquisitions, corporate law and tax. Jude has
assisted a number of global and ASEAN multinationals in multi-jurisdictional reorganizations and has
advised many clients on complex mergers and acquisitions.
He holds a Master of Laws degree from Harvard University where he received the Ayala Scholarship
Grant, the Lopez Scholarship Grant and the Landon H. Gammon Fellowship for Academic Excellence.
He also earned a Master of Business Administration degree (Finance and Supply Chain Management)
from UNC Chapel Hill’s Kenan-Flagler Business School where he was a UNC Kenan-Flagler Fellow. He is
a graduate of and a former professorial lecturer on tax law and constitutional law at the University of
the Philippines College of Law.
A corporate and tax lawyer with almost two decades of experience in the Philippines and abroad,
Jude held senior director or partner positions in several Big 4 firms in the Philippines (KPMG), Central
Asia (Deloitte) and in Europe (E&Y) He was, until 2015, a regional tax director and deputy head of
regional tax of DFDL, an international law firm focusing on high-growth Asian markets.
He also served in the Philippine government. From 2004 to 2005, he was Assistant Secretary for Legal
Affairs of the Republic’s Trade and Industry Department and Finance Department.
He writes on competition law for Lexis Nexis and tax law for IBFD. He also contributes to the Linklaters
global data privacy protection guide. He is recognized by Asialaw Profiles as Leading Lawyer on M&A,
Corporate and Tax.
She was admitted to the Philippine bar in 2001, placing 10th in the bar examinations.
She worked as a junior associate of De Borja Medialdea Bello Guevarra and Gerodias law firm and
later on as a tax lawyer at Sycip Gorres Velayo & Co. (Ernst & Young in Manila), the largest
professional services firm in the country. Tina honed her expertise in corporate, commercial and tax
law, advising and assisting domestic and foreign clients at various stages of their business existence
and on a range of legal and tax issues. She has handled company registration and compliance
involving various agencies such as the Securities and Exchange Commission, Bureau of Internal
Revenue, Philippine Economic Zone Authority and local government units. She has assisted clients in
drafting, reviewing and negotiating various contracts and agreements and in the performance of due
diligence reviews prior to acquisitions.
Tina also gained substantial experience as a legal officer with the Prosecution and Enforcement
Department, Market Regulatory Office of the Philippine Stock Exchange.
She brings nearly a decade of valuable regulatory experience with the power industry, working for
many years overseeing the compliance of trading participants as Deputy Enforcement and
Compliance Officer of the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation, which operates and governs the
Wholesale Electricity Spot Market.
KAREN OCAMPO
Karen obtained her Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the Philippines. She was admitted
to the Philippine bar in 2001. She has extensive experience in corporate commercial and tax law,
having worked as an associate at top law firm Castillo Laman Tan Pantaleon & San Jose, and as a tax
lawyer at Sycip Gorres Velayo & Co. (Ernst & Young in Manila), the largest professional services firm in
the country.
In respect of corporate and commercial matters, she has handled corporate registrations, mergers
and acquisitions and corporate reorganizations for domestic and multinational clients. She has
assisted clients in drafting, reviewing and negotiating various contracts and agreements and in the
performance of due diligence reviews prior to acquisitions.
Karen’s particular and distinctive strength lies in taxation and her experience in this sphere is
wide-ranging, from tax planning and advisory to tax controversy and advocacy.
Her competence in business and tax law is strengthened by a truly international experience in the
tax and legal departments of Big 4 accounting firms abroad. She was a senior manager at Deloitte
Kazakhstan’s Tax and Legal Department, providing investment counseling, corporate tax advice and
international structuring assistance to domestic and multinational clients in various industries,
particularly in the energy and resources space. She was also a tax executive at Ernst & Young
Cambodia advising mostly inbound investors in a wide range of industries in respect of their
corporate and transaction tax concerns, including mergers and acquisitions and
cross-border structuring.
CHRISTINE ANTONIO
Christine obtained her Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of the Philippines where she was
awarded the Dean’s Medal for Academic Excellence. She holds a Master of Corporate Law degree
from the University of Cambridge graduating with First Class Honors. She was admitted to the
Philippine Bar in 2007.
She possesses extensive experience in the Public Private Partnership (PPP) sector, having worked as
the head of the Project Development Service Department of the Public-Private Partnership Center
of the Philippines. She likewise worked as a Foreign Consulting Attorney for Kelvin Chia Yangon Ltd.,
where she was seconded as General Manager of the Legal Department of the Joint Operations/
PPP between Myanmar Posts and Telecommunications and KDDI/Sumitomo Corporation. She also
previously worked for the Department of Finance Privatization and Management Office as Deputy
Privatization Officer For Legal, and as an Associate at Castillo Laman Tan Pantaleon & San Jose Law
Offices, one of the largest law firms in the Philippines.
Ocampo & Suralvo is the DFDL
collaborating law firm in the Philippines.
www.dfdl.com
Ocampo & Suralvo Law Offices